My name is Sarah and I work at an educational software company in Boston. I’m starting a research project on homeschooling because it’s one of the markets that we don’t really know that much about, and I would appreciate it so much if you could take a few minutes and answer the questions that I’ve put together below.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at sarah@fablevision.com. Thank you so much for your help!!

1. What is the greatest challenge you face as a homeschool parent/educator?
2. What are the greatest benefits?
3. What magazines/websites do you use most frequently? Why?
4. What sources do you consult when trying to find books, software and other educational materials?
5. Do you prefer to use books, software or a combination?
6. What do you look for in educational products (i.e. functionality, price, interactivity, entertainment, quality)?
7. Where do you go to buy products?
8. If you do buy educational software, is it usually for a specific subject, or is it cross curricular?
9. What software are you currently using? What have you used in the past?
10. What are the drawbacks and benefits of the software?
11. Do you teach your children how to improve their studying skills? How?
12. What subject do you find the most difficult to teach? Most enjoyable? Why?
13. Do you attend any conferences? If so, which ones and how do they help you?
14. Are you a part of any homeschool networks?

1. What is the greatest challenge you face as a homeschool parent/educator?

Hmmmmm....I've had trouble thinking of that one. I suppose my greatest challenge is devoting equal time to my 3 year old. My daughter is very independent, but back when I had to read her science and history to her, I had to make sure that my son got a story first.

2. What are the greatest benefits?

Having control over what my children learn and how they learn it; keeping the bad elements of popular culture out of our lives as much as possible.
3. What magazines/websites do you use most frequently? Why?
Only this one.
4. What sources do you consult when trying to find books, software and other educational materials?
5. Do you prefer to use books, software or a combination?
Books
6. What do you look for in educational products (i.e. functionality, price, interactivity, entertainment, quality)?
Price, quality
7. Where do you go to buy products?
Amazon.com, ETA Cuisennaire
8. If you do buy educational software, is it usually for a specific subject, or is it cross curricular?
We don't use software
9. What software are you currently using? What have you used in the past?
10. What are the drawbacks and benefits of the software?
11. Do you teach your children how to improve their studying skills? How?
I have been making up questions from the books we use (most of our material is from the library). I have my daughter read the questions before she reads the chapter. The real benefit in the questions is to get her to read more carefully. She prides herself on reading quickly, but misses a lot of material.
12. What subject do you find the most difficult to teach? Most enjoyable? Why?
We have the most trouble with math. I have never been good at it, so I probably don't show the enthusiasm for it that I do for other subjects. She has been very resistant to it until recently, when we got a different curriculum.
I enjoy history most, because it is my main area of interest. We studied evolution first, and have had many discussions on different aspects of history.
13. Do you attend any conferences? If so, which ones and how do they help you?
No.
14. Are you a part of any homeschool networks?
Only a homeschooling playgroup that meets every week. We sometimes do field trips as well.